1 Assisted Living Community in Monroe, Washington

The average cost of assisted living in the city is $5,750 a month. This guide is a starting point covering the cost of assisted living care in the city, as well as financing options to pay for it. You’ll find in-depth information on 1 Assisted Living Community in Monroe and several in surrounding areas. The Cost of Senior Care in Monroe, WA

• Assisted Living: $5,750
• Nursing Home Care: $9,243
• In-home Care: $6,092
• Adult Day Health Services: $1,317

At $5,750 per month, the average cost of assisted living in Monroe is on par with the nearby city of Bremerton but over $600 more than the state median of $5,135. Monroe seniors also pay a steep $1,750 per month above the national average of $4,000. Assisted living in the city is considerably more expensive than other communities in this area of Washington, including Mount Vernon ($5,125), Longview ($5,000), Olympia ($4,250) and Spokane ($4,000).

Note: Data for senior care costs in Monroe wasn’t available, so data for the closest city, Seattle, was used instead.

The cost of senior care is influenced by factors such as the type of care needed, the number of service hours provided and whether room and board are included. The cost of living in this region of Washington is also a contributing factor. Even though both options include room and board, nursing homes ($9,243) skilled, round-the-clock care is mainly why these facilities charge almost $3,500 more per month than assisted living communities ($5,750). Home health aide and homemaker services ($6,092) average almost $350 more per month than assisted living, and rates for in-home care only cover 44 direct service hours. Seniors staying at home must also budget for the cost of food, utilities, insurance, maintenance and other household expenses. These costs are usually covered by room-and-board fees in assisted living facilities.

 

Monroe residents who can’t afford health insurance may be eligible for coverage through the Washington Medicaid program known as Apple Health. This and other state Medicaid programs provide crucial coverage to economically vulnerable Americans through joint funding by the federal and state governments.

One in five Washington residents are enrolled in the state Medicaid program and receive a range of benefits, including primary, acute and emergency care, ambulance and nonemergency medical transportation, X-rays, laboratory tests, prescriptions and long-term care.

Qualifying for Apple Health for Long-term Care

Washington residents who are American citizens or legal immigrants and have lived in the United States for five years or longer may be eligible for long-term care services through Apple Health if they meet these additional requirements:

• Have been assessed as needing an intermediate or nursing home level of care
• Have a monthly income of $2,313 or less per individual or $4,626 per couple
• Have countable resources of $2,000 or less per person or $3,000 per couple

Income from all sources counts toward the eligibility limits, including wages, Social Security benefits, pensions, retirement plan withdrawals and investment earnings. Some resources are automatically excluded, such as an applicant’s principal home, household goods, personal belongings and one vehicle.

Those who successfully apply for the Supplemental Security Income program are automatically enrolled in Apple Health with full benefits.

Community First Choice Option Program

Apple Health provides coverage for long-term care in a nursing home setting but also offers eligible seniors the alternative of community-based care through the Community First Choice Option program. This program gives Monroe seniors the choice of receiving supportive services at home or in assisted living or adult residential care facilities. Depending on a participant’s needs, covered services may include:

• Transition assistance to relocate from an institutional nursing home
• Assistance with medication administration
• Respite care
• Blood glucose monitoring and insulin injections by a professional nurse
• Assistive technologies
• Personal emergency response systems

Nursing home care and services provided through the CFCO program are entitlements under Apple Health, so eligible seniors are guaranteed services without a wait due to participation caps.

Monroe seniors can complete an online application for long-term care services through Apple Health, visit the Skykomish Valley Community Services office located at 19705 State Route 2, Suite 100 or call (877) 501-2233.

Community Options Program Entry System Waiver

Washington Medicaid also offers the COPES waiver that may help seniors avoid nursing home admission. This home and community-based services waiver provides assistance in an enrollee’s home or assisted living facility. Room-and-board fees aren’t covered by the waiver, but other valuable services are provided, including:

• Case management
• Skilled nursing care
• Assistance with personal care
• Medical equipment and supplies
• Community support services
• Wellness education
• Nonmedical transportation

Monroe residents aged 65 or older who need assistance with at least two daily living activities can apply for the waiver. To qualify, seniors must have $2,313 or less in monthly income and no more than $2,000 in countable assets per person.

The COPES waiver program isn’t an entitlement through Apple Health, so approved seniors may be placed on a waiting list depending on availability.

To learn more about the COPES waiver or apply, Monroe seniors should contact the Snohomish County Senior Information and Assistance center at (425) 513-1900.

Optional State Supplementation

Washington residents with limited income and assets who are eligible for SSI benefits also qualify for a monthly stipend from the Optional State Supplementation program. This extra $46 cash benefit provided by the Washington Department of Social and Health Services can be put toward expenses, such as assisted living room and board, that aren’t covered under Medicaid.

To apply for SSI and Washington OSS benefits, Monroe seniors can contact the  Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213.

Veterans Aid and Attendance Program

Senior veterans and their spouses facing extra care costs may qualify for a monthly top up to their VA pension through the Aid and Attendance program. Those currently receiving a VA disability pension are ineligible for A&A benefits. Others must have an annual income of $22,577 or less and be honorably discharged after serving a minimum of 90 days of active duty, with at least one day during a wartime. Applicants must also have one of the following conditions to qualify for the program:

• Suffer from a disability or chronic illness that keeps them confined to bed

• Need help from another person to perform normal activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, eating or mobility

• Have a mental or physical impairment that requires nursing home care

• Have visual acuity of 5/200 or less or concentric contraction of the visual field to five degrees or less even with corrective lenses

For more information about the A&A program or to receive help filing an application, senior veterans in Monroe can contact the Snohomish County Veterans Assistance Program at (425) 388-7255.

The Snohomish County Long-Term Care and Aging office is the designated local Area Agency on Aging. The office plans, coordinates and implements an array of programs and services to help residents aged 60 or older maintain their independence and a high quality of life. The AAA provides information and referrals for county, state and federal benefits, administers the senior nutrition program, oversees volunteer and transportation services and provides referrals for personal counseling. Snohomish County Long-Term Care & Aging
3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett, WA 98201
(425) 347-1229

Monroe senior veterans can access a range of medical services at the North Seattle VA outpatient clinic, American Lake and Seattle VA medical centers for specialty care, including primary care, laboratory services, nursing care, prescriptions and referrals.

The Snohomish County Veterans Assistance program offers a number of services for area veterans, including case management, assistance filing for VA pensions and other benefits, advocacy with appeals and enrollment assistance for VA medical and dental care programs.

North Seattle VA Clinic
12360 Lake City Way NE., Ste. 200, Seattle, WA 98125
(206) 384-4382

Snohomish County Veterans Assistance Program
3000 Rockefeller Ave., Drewel Bldg., Everett, WA 98201
(425) 388-7255

Senior Homes has an extensive directory of senior living options, with care and living providers across the United States.